“Stick Season” by Noah Kahan is a beautifully emotional song that has resonated with many listeners. Its folk-inspired melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a great choice for guitar players of all levels.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, learning the Stick Season chords is simple and rewarding.
The song primarily uses four beginner-friendly chords: G, Cadd9, Em7, and D, making it easy to play along while singing.
The strumming pattern is relaxed, fitting the song’s melancholic yet warm tone. Since the original recording features an acoustic-driven sound, this is a great song to practice dynamics and emotion in your playing.
One of the best things about “Stick Season” is that it doesn’t require a capo, meaning you can play it in standard tuning without any adjustments. If you’re a fan of storytelling through music, this song is a must-learn.
In this guide, we’ll go over the chords, strumming pattern, and lyrics with chord placements to help you master the song effortlessly.
Chords Needed to Play “Stick Season”
To play “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, you only need four easy chords. These chords are beginner-friendly and sound great on an acoustic guitar.
G Major (G)
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e|—3—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—0—|
A|—2—|
E|—3—|
This chord gives the song a warm and open sound.
Cadd9
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e|—3—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—2—|
A|—3—|
E|—X—|
A variation of C Major, often used in folk and indie songs.
E Minor 7 (Em7)
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e|—3—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—0—|
A|—2—|
E|—0—|
This chord adds a melancholic and emotional touch.
D Major (D)
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e|—2—|
B|—3—|
G|—2—|
D|—0—|
A|—X—|
E|—X—|
A transition chord that helps build emotion in the song.
These four chords repeat throughout the verses and chorus, making it an easy yet powerful song to play!
Strumming Pattern for “Stick Season”
The strumming pattern for “Stick Season” is fairly simple and works well for beginners. The song has a gentle folk rhythm, so keeping a steady flow is key.
Basic Strumming Pattern:
D – D U – U D U
(D = Down, U = Up)
This pattern fits well with the song’s melancholic yet rhythmic feel.
Alternative Strumming Pattern (More Dynamic)
D – D – U U – D – U
If you want to add more emotion and match Noah Kahan’s playing style, try adding lighter downstrokes during softer moments and stronger accents during the chorus.
Tips for Strumming “Stick Season”
Stay relaxed – Don’t strum too hard; keep it smooth.
Use dynamics – Play softer in the verses and louder in the chorus.
Feel the rhythm – Listen to the original song to match the vibe.
Once you get comfortable with the strumming pattern, try playing along with the chord progressions for a full experience!
Stick Season Chords with Lyrics
Here’s a simplified chord progression with the lyrics to help you play along. The chords are placed above the lyrics where you should switch chords.
[Verse 1]
G
I saw your car in the driveway,
Cadd9
The same one we used to take.
Em7
We swore that we’d be together,
D
But things changed along the way.
[Pre-Chorus]
G
And I know that you’re still out there,
Cadd9
Living life just like before.
Em7
But I’m stuck here in this season,
D
Wondering what I’m waiting for.
[Chorus]
G
And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks,
D
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed,
Em7
And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim,
Cadd9
I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas.
[Bridge]
G
I watched the leaves fall,
Cadd9
And I thought of you.
Em7
Are you somewhere warmer?
D
Or stuck in this too?
Strumming & Playthrough Tips
Strumming Pattern: Try D – D U – U D U for a smooth folk rhythm.
Capo: No capo needed, but you can use Capo on 2nd fret to match Noah Kahan’s key.
Play with Emotion: The song has a deep meaning—strum softly during verses and add more intensity in the chorus.
Step-by-Step Guitar Tutorial
This guide will break down everything you need to play “Stick Season” on guitar—from chords and strumming to how to bring out the song’s emotional feel.
Step 1: Learn the Chords
You only need four easy chords:
G Major (G)
e|—3—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—0—|
A|—2—|
E|—3—|
Cadd9
e|—3—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—2—|
A|—3—|
E|—X—|
E Minor 7 (Em7)
e|—3—|
B|—3—|
G|—0—|
D|—0—|
A|—2—|
E|—0—|
D Major (D)
e|—2—|
B|—3—|
G|—2—|
D|—0—|
A|—X—|
E|—X—|
Step 2: Master the Strumming Pattern
A beginner-friendly strumming pattern that matches the original song:
D – D U – U D U (Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up)
Alternative Pattern (More Dynamic):
D – D – U U – D – U (Adds more energy, especially in the chorus)
Strumming Tips:
- Keep it soft in the verses, and increase intensity in the chorus.
- Mute strings slightly for a percussive effect.
Step 3: Play Along with the Chord Progression
The main progression repeats throughout most of the song:
[G] → [D] → [Em7] → [Cadd9]
Example (Chorus):
G
And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks,
D
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed,
Em7
And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim,
Cadd9
I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas.
Step 4: Optional – Fingerpicking Intro
For a softer, folk-style intro, try this simple fingerpicking pattern:
Pick the bass note first (lowest string of the chord), then lightly pluck the higher strings:
G D Em7 Cadd9
e|——-3——3——3——3–|
B|——-3——3——3——3–|
G|—-0——2——0——0—–|
D|——-0——0——2——2–|
A|—-2——X——2——3—–|
E|—-3——2——0——X—–|
Step 5: Play & Sing Together
Now that you’ve got the chords, strumming, and structure, play along with the original or use a metronome to keep the tempo.
No Capo Needed (but you can use Capo on 2nd fret to match the original key).
Keep practicing—start slow and build up speed!
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Even though “Stick Season” is an easy song to play, beginners often struggle with chord transitions, strumming consistency, and timing.
Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them:
Slow or Sloppy Chord Changes
Mistake: Struggling to switch between G, D, Em7, and Cadd9, leading to pauses in the song.
Fix:
- Anchor your fingers: Notice that G, Cadd9, and Em7 share the same finger position on the high E (1st) and B (2nd) strings. Keep those two fingers in place while switching.
- Practice transitioning slowly between chords without strumming.
- Use a metronome at a slow tempo and gradually speed up.
Strumming Sounds Off-Beat
Mistake: Rushing or slowing down the D – D U – U D U pattern, making the rhythm feel choppy.
Fix:
- Count out loud: “1 – 2 & – & 4 &” to keep timing steady.
- Play along with a metronome at 80–90 BPM, then speed up gradually.
- Mute the strings and just practice the strumming motion without chords first.
Strumming Too Hard or Too Soft
Mistake:
- Too soft: The song lacks energy, especially in the chorus.
- Too hard: The sound becomes too aggressive for the song’s emotional tone.
Fix:
- Use a lighter grip on your pick. A medium pick (0.6mm–0.8mm) works well.
- Strum gently in the verses and increase intensity in the chorus for dynamic contrast.
- Experiment with fingerpicking in the intro for a softer, folk-like feel.
Not Singing in Time with Guitar
Mistake: Losing the rhythm when trying to sing and play at the same time.
Fix:
- Master the guitar part first before adding vocals.
- Hum the melody while playing to feel the rhythm before singing.
- Slow it down—sing and strum at 50% speed before trying full speed.
Fingerpicking Feels Too Hard
Mistake: Struggling with fingerpicking the intro or getting the picking pattern wrong.
Fix:
- Start by plucking just the bass note of each chord, then add higher notes gradually.
- Use your thumb for the low strings (E, A, D) and index/middle fingers for the higher strings.
- Practice slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
Final Tip: Record Yourself
A great way to catch mistakes is to record yourself playing. You’ll hear where timing or transitions need improvement!
